ASN-209 Chinese Reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

The Aisheng ASN-209 from Xi'an Technology is a medium-altitude/medium endurance multi-role UAV. ASN-209 Tactical UAV System is composed of Aircraft Platform, Avionics, Airborne Mission Payload, Data Link, Ground Control Station and Launch and Recovery Equipment, ASN-209 UAV can perform aerial reconnaissance, battlefield survey, target location, destroy validation and artillery fire adjustment in day and night in real-time. ASN-209 uses digital flight control and navigation system, its flight control mode has manual, program, and emergency control. In addition, ASN-209 uses rocket booster launch, parachute recovery which render the operating system of ASN-209 flexible due to the fact that no contact with an airport is needed, and the GCS allows multitasking and can be edited in real-time. In civil application, it can be fitted with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), electro-optical payload, and multi-function payload, etc. that can be applied for forest fire prevention, anti-drug action, communication, nature disaster forecast, ground observation, atmosphere measuring, aviation photo, resource detection, climate observation, and artificial raining, etc. In a military operation, it can be with multiple operational configurations for Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), Ground Target Designation (GTD), and Communication Relay. ASN-209 uses a twin-boom pusher layout, rear installed engine disposition with high-set wings, and a stabilizer linking the twin fins. Excellent overall aerodynamic design and EMC design enable the system to install many different kinds of airborne equipment, such as Electronic countermeasures (ECM), communication relay, and weather detection. With a coverage radius is 200 km and an endurance of 10 hours, ASN-209 UAV System can supervise big areas and frontiers within one sortie. In order to overcome with refueling issue, use two UAVs and switch them out when one reaches its 10-hour limit so that they can be used for 24 hours consecutively. The practicality of the ASN-209 system reduces the need for maintenance or parts from China, as ASN-209 can be deployed using a modified truck and is controlled using electronics equipment installed in a cargo van, which in turn overcomes the disadvantage of comparable US UAVs that depend on US parts and maintenance.